Optical Catheter Carriage Interlock System and Method

ABSTRACT

An optical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation when the catheter system is being driven by a pullback and rotation system. The optical catheter system has an interlock system that prevents rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing until attached to the pullback and rotation system. The pullback and rotation system comprises a frame and a catheter system interface, attached to the frame, to which the catheter system is coupled. A carriage drive system is further provided that moves longitudinally and rotates relative to the frame to provide rotation and longitudinal drive to the catheter system. A longitudinal drive system has a drive motor for advancing and/or withdrawing the carriage drive system and a manual drive input enabling a user to manually advance or withdrawal the carriage drive system. A latching system holds the carriage drive system when the catheter system is being attached to the pullback system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/862,309, filed on Oct. 20, 2006 and isrelated to U.S. application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Manual and MotorDriven Optical Pullback and Rotation System and Method,” by John Murphyand Peter Strickler, Attorney Docket No. 0010.0013US2, filed on evendate herewith, U.S. application Ser. No. ______, entitled “PullbackCarriage Interlock System and Method for Catheter System,” by JohnMurphy and Peter Strickler, Attorney Docket No. 0010.0013US3, filed oneven date herewith and U.S. application Ser. No. ______, entitled “NoiseSuppression System and Method in Catheter Pullback and Rotation System,”by Charles Abele and Jay Caplan, Attorney Docket No. 0010.0013US4, filedon even date herewith, all four of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Catheter-based optical systems are applicable to a number of diagnosticand therapeutic medical applications. Optical tomography, usuallyoptical coherence tomography (OCT), is used to provide spatialresolution, enabling the imaging of internal structures. Spectroscopy isused to characterize the composition of structures, enabling thediagnosis of medical conditions by differentiating between cancerous,dysplastic, and normal tissue structures, for example. Reflectanceanalysis is a simplified form of spectroscopy that analyzes opticalproperties of structures, typically in specified wavelength bands.Fluorescence and Raman spectral analysis involve exciting the tissue atone wavelength and then analyzing light at fluorescence wavelengths orRaman shifted wavelengths due to a process of inelastic photonscattering. They all share certain catheter requirements including theneed to transmit an optical signal to the internal structures ofinterest and then detect returning light, often transmitting thatreturning light back along the length of the catheter.

For example, in one specific spectroscopic application, an opticalsource, such as a tunable laser, is used to access or scan a spectralband of interest, such as a scan band in the near infrared wavelengthsor 750 nanometers (nm) to 2.5 micrometers (μm) or one or more subbands.The generated light is used to illuminate tissue in a target area invivo using the catheter. Diffusely reflected light resulting from theillumination is then collected and transmitted to a detector system,where a spectral response is resolved. The response is used to assessthe composition and consequently the state of the tissue.

This system can be used to diagnose atherosclerosis, and specifically toidentify atherosclerotic lesions or plaques. This is an arterialdisorder involving the intimae of medium- or large-sized arteries, oftenincluding the aortic, carotid, coronary, and cerebral arteries.

Diagnostic systems including Raman and fluorescence-based schemes havealso been proposed. Other wavelengths, such as visible or theultraviolet, can also be used.

In OCT applications, a coherent optical source is used to illuminatetissue in a target area. By analysis of the interference between lightreturning from the target area and light returning from a reference arm,depth information is generated providing information of both the surfacetopology and subsurface structures.

Other, non-optical, technologies also exist. For example, intravascularultrasound (IVUS) uses a combination of a heart ultrasound(echocardiogram) and cardiac catheterization. In this application, anultrasound catheter is inserted into an artery and moved to a targetarea. It then both generates and receives ultrasound waves that can thenbe constructed into an image showing the surface topology and internalstructures at the target area.

The probes or catheters for these applications typically have smalllateral dimensions. This characteristic allows them to be inserted intoincisions or lumen, such as blood vessels, with lower impact or traumato the patient. The probe's primary function is to convey light toand/or receive light from a target area or area of interest in thepatient for the optical-based technologies. In the context of thediagnosis of atherosclerosis, for example, the target areas are regionsof the patient's arteries that may exhibit or are at risk for developingatherosclerotic lesions.

In each of these applications, the target areas or areas of interest aretypically located lateral to the catheter head. That is, in the exampleof lumens, the probe is advanced through the lumen until it reaches theareas of interest, which are typically the lumen walls that are adjacentto the probe, i.e., extending parallel to the direction of advance ofthe probe. A “side-firing” catheter head emits and/or receives light orultrasound signals from along the probe's lateral sides. In the exampleof catheters for optical-based applications, the light propagatesthrough the probe, until it reaches the probe or catheter head. Thelight is then redirected to be emitted radially or in a direction thatis orthogonal to the direction of advancement or longitudinal axis ofthe probe. In the case of light collection, light from along the probe'slateral sides is collected and then transmitted through the probe to ananalyzer where, in the example of spectroscopic analysis in thediagnosis of atherosclerosis, the spectrum of the returning light isresolved in order to determine the composition of the vessel or lumenwalls.

In order to fully characterize target areas, relatively long regions oftissue, such as blood vessels, must be scanned and in the case of bloodvessels an entire 360 degree circumference of vessels must be captured.To perform this combination of longitudinal and rotational movement, thecatheters are typically driven by a device called a pullback androtation (PBR) system.

Pullback and rotation systems connect to the proximal end of thecatheter. They typically hold an outer sheath or jacket stationary whilean inner catheter scanning body, including the catheter head are rotatedand withdrawn through a segment of the blood vessel. This scanningcombined with driving the catheter head produce a helical scan that isused to create a raster-scanned image of the inner walls of the bloodvessel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, according to one aspect, the invention features a cathetersystem, comprising an intraluminal catheter for insertion into a patientand a handle portion. The intraluminal catheter includes an outer jacketand an inner scanning body that rotates and moves longitudinally withinthe outer jacket. The handle portion includes an outer housingmechanically coupled to the outer jacket and an inner carriagemechanically coupled to the inner scanning body.

This combination provides pullback and rotation scanning when the innercarriage is extracted and driven by a pullback and rotation system butensures that the system is robust during transportation or whenotherwise not being used.

This basic configuration can be used for optical catheters or cathetersusing other analysis modalities, such as IVUS. In the example of opticalcatheters, systems using spectroscopic, optical tomography, Raman, andfluorescence analysis modalities, for example, are compatible with thisbasic design.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner scanning body comprises an opticalfiber bundle, including at least one optical fiber, for transmittingoptical signals between a head of the intraluminal catheter and theinner carriage. In this case, the inner carriage preferably comprisesone or more optical connectors for providing optical connection to theoptical fiber bundle.

A torque cable is preferably provided for transferring rotation from theinner carriage through the inner scanning body to a head of theintraluminal catheter.

Typically, the outer housing functions as a handle for attachment of thecatheter system to the pullback and rotation system. To facilitatealignment, the inner carriage is provided with a bayonet memberprojecting axially from a proximal side of the inner carriage forrotationally aligning the inner carriage during attachment to a pullbackand rotation system.

A catheter carriage interlock system is preferably used to secure theinner carriage within the outer housing at least during transportationor when otherwise not in use. This catheter carriage interlock systemprevents rotation of the inner carriage within the outer housing andextraction of the inner carriage from the outer housing.

In the preferred embodiment, a release member on a pullback and rotationsystem disengages the catheter carriage interlock system so that theinner carriage is able to rotate and move relative to the outer housing.

In general, according to another aspect, the invention features acatheter carriage interlock system for an optical catheter systemcomprising an intraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to apatient and carries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing,and an inner carriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outerhousing and rotates relative to the outer housing during operation whenthe catheter system is driven by a pullback and rotation system. Theinterlock system comprises a carriage locking system that preventsrotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outerhousing. An unlocking system on the pullback and rotation system unlocksthe carriage locking system to free the inner carriage to rotate andmove longitudinally in the outer housing when the catheter system isconnected to the pullback and rotation system.

In general, according to still another aspect, the invention features acarriage interlock method, comprising preventing rotation andlongitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing atleast during transportation of the optical catheter system and unlockingthe inner carriage to free the inner carriage to rotate and movelongitudinally in the outer housing when the optical catheter system isconnected to a pullback and rotation system.

The above and other features of the invention including various noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages,will now be more particularly described with reference to theaccompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will beunderstood that the particular method and device embodying the inventionare shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of theinvention. The principles and features of this invention may be employedin various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarilyto scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon illustrating theprinciples of the invention. Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side-plan view showing a catheter system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the catheter system;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the catheter system showing thecarriage interlock system shown in an open condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of a pullback and rotation systemaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial side perspective view showing the axial drive systemfor the pullback and rotation system;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the axial drive system for thecarriage drive system;

FIG. 6 is a partial front perspective view of the carriage drive systemof the pullback and rotation system;

FIG. 7 is a partial reverse angle perspective view of the carriage drivesystem for the pullback and rotation system;

FIG. 7A is a block schematic plan showing the optical path for thecatheter and pullback and rotation system of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of the pullback and rotationsystem showing the carriage drive locking system;

FIG. 9 is a partial side perspective view of the carriage drive lockingsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a front plan view showing the catheter locking system; and

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the catheter locking systemaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a catheter system 100 connected to a pullback and rotationsystem 200, which have been constructed according to the principles ofthe present invention.

Generally, the catheter system 100 comprises an intraluminal catheter110. This is typically inserted into a lumen within a patient, such as ablood vessel, particularly an artery. It is moved through the arterialnetwork of the patient until a catheter head 130 is proximal or adjacentto a region of interest, such as potential site of a lesion within thecoronary or carotid artery, for example.

FIG. 1A shows the intraluminal catheter 110 comprising an outer jacket82 and an inner catheter scanning body sb including the catheter head130. In operation, optical signals, such as a tunable signal that isspectrally scanned or tuned over a spectral scan band or a broadbandoptical signal, are transmitted to the head on a delivery fiber 74 of anoptical fiber bundle ofb of inner catheter scanning body sb. The opticalsignal of the delivery fiber is directed to exit from the side of thehead 130 by an angle reflector 78 through a window 76. Returning light,such as scattered and diffusely reflected light from the region ofinterest of the inner luminal walls 2 is captured by collectionreflector 80 to be transmitted in a collection fiber 72.

In other examples, the delivery fiber transmits an excitation opticalsignal for Raman or fluorescence analysis. A narrowband optical signalis often used in reflectance analysis systems.

In order to enable scanning of the inner luminal walls 2, inner catheterscanning body sb including the head 130 is rotated within a protectivejacket or sheath 82, see arrow 84, while typically being simultaneouslytranslated longitudinally within the jacket 82, see arrow 86. Thescanning body typically comprises an outer torque cable 85 fortransferring rotation to the head 130. In the current embodiment, thetorque cable 85 comprises contrahelically wound wire layers to enablelow backlash torque transfer along the length of the intraluminalcatheter 110. The jacket 82 ensures that the lumen is not damaged by therotation 84 and longitudinal movement 86 of the inner catheter scanningbody sb.

Returning to FIG. 1, the proximal end of the catheter system 100 has acatheter handle housing 112. This housing 112 is typically the portionof the catheter system 100 that is held by the medical personnel duringsome operations such as when attaching the catheter system 100 to apullback and rotation system 200.

The pullback and rotation system 200 controls the movement of the innercatheter scanning body sb and catheter head 130 both in terms ofrotation 84 and longitudinal movement 86 to typically helically rasterscan the internal walls 2 of the coronary artery, for example, to assessand characterize any tissue, lesions, or other problems in and on thoseinternal walls 2.

In other examples, the catheter and head are configured for OCTanalysis. In still other examples, the catheter and head are used forIVUS applications. As such, the optical components are replaced oraugmented by ultrasonic transducers in the head 130, for example.

FIG. 2 shows the proximal end of the catheter system 100. It comprisesthe handle housing 112, providing a sterile field surrounding theinternal components of the catheter system 100. The handle housing 112further comprises a housing apron 112 a that flares moving proximally inorder to protect the coupling components housed within the housing 112.In contrast, moving distally, the housing further comprises a jacketfixing block 112 b. The catheter jacket 82 is rigidly bonded to thejacket fixing block 112 b such that the jacket 82 is stationary withrespect to the housing 112, ensuring that the inner catheter scanningbody sb moves with respect to the jacket 82. Finally, the distal end ofthe housing comprises a flexible nose portion 112 c to prevent crimpingof the catheter.

Within the housing 112 is a catheter carriage 118. The optical fiberbundle ofb is secured to the carriage 118 so that rotation 52 of thecarriage or longitudinal movement 50 is transferred to the catheter head130. The optical fiber bundle ofb in one embodiment, comprises thedelivery fiber 74, which in one example is single spatial mode fiberthat transmits an optical spectroscopy signal, such as a tunable signalgenerated by a tunable laser, to the catheter head 130, and thecollection fiber 72, which is often multimode fiber, that transmits anycollected light by the catheter head 130 through the length of thecatheter system 100.

The catheter system 100 has a series of components that form a cathetercarriage interlock system 180, which prevents the carriage 118 frommoving within the housing body 112 both rotationally and longitudinally50 when the catheter system 100 is not mechanically connected to thepullback and rotation system 200. However, an unlocking or key system onthe pullback and rotation system 200 unlocks the carriage interlocksystem 180 to free the inner carriage 118 to rotate and movelongitudinally in the housing 112 when the catheter system 100 isconnected to the pullback and rotation system 200.

The interlock system 180 comprises a series of catheter locking levers116, that prevent the carriage 118 from rotating 52 and being extractedfrom the housing 112 when the catheter system 100 is not connected tothe pullback and rotation system 200 yet allow the carriage 118 torotate within the housing body 112 and to move axially out of the body112 when the catheter system 100 is connected to the pullback androtation system 200. Specifically, in one example, more than two lockinglevers are used, such as four in one implementation.

Each catheter locking lever comprises a lever pivot 116 p, a ringengagement nose 116 n, and a lever arm 116 a. When the catheter system100 is not connected to the pullback and rotation system 200, the leverarms 116 a of the catheter locking levers 116 are in engagement with anouter periphery 118 p of the carriage 118. This prevents the rotation ofthe carriage 118 within the housing body because of the interferencebetween the lever arm 116 a and carriage rotation shoulders 118 of thecarriage 118. Specifically, when the carriage 118 is fully inserted intothe body, the lever arms 116 a are resiliently biased against thecatheter carriage 118 at region 118 p and fall between adjacent,axially-extending carriage rotation shoulders 118 s and thereby preventthe catheter carriage 118 from rotating within the housing body 112.

The resilient biasing of the lever arms 116 is provided by a flexiblecircular band 116 b that extends around the outer periphery of the arrayof lever arms 116. In a current embodiment, the band 116 b is fabricatedfrom a synthetic rubber material such as EPDM (ethylene propylene dienemonomer) rubber. This is a low creep, sterilization resistant material.In other implementations, the resilient biasing is performed by springelements, such as leaf springs, that are integrally formed with thelever arms 116.

The engagement of the lever arms 116 a against region 118 p of thecatheter carriage 118 also prevents the catheter carriage 118 from beingextracted from the housing body 112. Specifically, if an extractionforce is applied to the catheter carriage 118 relative to the housingbody 112, the lever arms 116 a slide along portion 118 p of the cathetercarriage 118 to engage with the extraction shoulder 118 e. Thismechanical interference thus prevents the catheter carriage 118 frombeing extracted from the housing body 112 or falling out when thecatheter system 100 is not coupled to the pullback and rotation system200.

FIG. 3 shows the catheter system 100 coupled to the pullback androtation system 200 and specifically its interaction with the interfacerelease ring 210. The ring shoulders 210 s engage with the ringengagement noses 116 n of the catheter locking levers 116. This causesthe locking levers 116 to pivot on the respective lever pivot 116 pagainst the axially inward directed bias force of the band 116 b withthe lever arm portions 116 a of the locking levers 116 rotating outwardthereby bringing the lever arms 116 a out of engagement with region 118p of the catheter carriage 118. This allows the catheter carriage 118 tonow rotate within the housing 112 because the lever arms 116 a are nolonger interfering with the carriage rotation shoulders 118 s. Further,the lever arms 116 a are now pulled away from the carriage extractionshoulders 118 e to thereby allow the carriage to move in the directionof arrow 10 and rotate in the direction of arrow 50′ relative to thehousing body 112.

FIG. 4 shows the pullback and rotation system 200. It generallycomprises a pullback and rotation frame 212. A front member 212 f of theframe 212 holds the interface release ring 210 that forms part of thecatheter interface 205 to which the catheter system 100 connects. Acenter member 212 b runs laterally from the front member 212 f to a rearmember 212 c.

The pullback and rotation system 200 also comprises a carriage drivesystem 300 that couples to the catheter carriage 118. This carriagedrive system 300 generally drives the rotation of the inner catheterscanning body sb and the catheter head 130 of the catheter system 100via the catheter carriage 118 and also drives the movement of the innercatheter scanning body sb and the catheter head 130 longitudinally inthe catheter system 100. The longitudinal movement is provided by themovement of the carriage drive system 300 back and forth in thedirection of arrow 50 and the rotation is accomplished by the rotationof a drum system 325 of the carriage drive system 300 in the directionof arrow 52.

In more detail, the carriage drive system 300 travels longitudinally onthe pullback and rotation frame 212 on frame rails 212 r formed oneither side of the center member 212 b. Specifically, carriage rollers330 roll on the rails 212 r thereby allowing the carriage drive system300 to move laterally on the frame 212. The carriage rollers 30 arejournaled to roller plates 331 which are attached to a front carriageframe plate 333 f and a back carriage frame plate 333 b, respectively.

The carriage drum system 325 is mounted to rotate on the front carriageframe plate 333 f and the back carriage frame plate 333 b. Specifically,the carriage drum system 325 comprises a front carriage drum roller 314and a rear carriage drum base 330. Optical/electronic boards 335 extendbetween the drum base 330 and drum roller 314 and contain theelectronic, optical, and opto-electronic components of the rotating drumsystem 325. The front carriage drum roller 314 supports a carriagecoupler mount 310. The carriage coupler mount 310 holds a male opticalduplex coupler 312 that connects to the female duplex optical coupler120 of the catheter system 100. Specifically, this provides the opticalconnection between a delivery channel provided by delivery fiber 74 andcollection channel provided by the collection fiber 72 of the opticalfiber bundle ofb. A catheter alignment bayonet 114 projects proximallyfrom the female duplex optical coupler 120.

The carriage coupler mount 310 also has a bayonet scabbard 310 s that isa port for receiving the catheter alignment bayonet 114. Thus, uponinsertion of the catheter system 100 into the pullback and rotationsystem 200, the catheter alignment bayonet 114 extends into the bayonetscabbard 310 s to insure that the catheter system 100 and specificallythe catheter carriage 118 is rotationally aligned to the drum system 325of the carriage system 300 thus ensuring alignment between the femaleduplex optical coupler 120 and the male optical duplex coupler 312.

Further, the carriage coupler mount 310 further comprises a bayonetpresence detector 310 d that senses the presence of the catheteralignment bayonet 114 to thereby signal to the PBR system 200 when thecatheter system 100 is properly connected to the PBR system.

The drum system 325 rotates relative to the carriage frame plates 333 f,333 b under power of a carriage motor encoder 320. Specifically, thecarriage motor encoder 320 drives a roller 323 that engages teeth on theouter periphery of the front drum 314. Thus, the motor encoder 320drives the drum system 323 to rotate 52 under angular control of itsencoder. Three carriage rollers 327, each having a female V-shapeprofile, provide support to the drum 325 by engaging a V-shaped outerperiphery 314 p of the front drum 314 at three distributed points ofcontact allowing its rotation.

The carriage drive system 200 also comprises a drum angular positiondetection system. Specifically, an angular position detector 324 isattached to the back carriage frame 333 b of the carriage frame. Thedrum base 330 further comprises a flag 322 that passes in proximity tothe angular position detector 324 and in this way the angular positionof the drum system 325 in the carriage drive system 300 is detected andspecifically its proper orientation to receive the catheter system 100and in the alternative used to calibrate the encoder of the motorencoder 320 to a known reference.

FIG. 5 shows the longitudinal drive system for the carriage drive system300. The longitudinal drive system provides for movement both underdirect operator control and under motor control. The manual operation,i.e., longitudinal movement, arrow 50, of the carriage drive system 300is accomplished by user rotation of the manual pulley 214. This drivesthe manual drive belt 216 that turns the manual belt pulley 218. Thismovement causes the carriage drive system 300 to move back and forth inthe direction of arrow 50 depending on the direction that the manualpulley 214 is rotated by the operator. In more detail, a timing beltdrive belt 246 stretches between a pulley below the manual belt pulley218 to a second timing belt pulley (see 219 in FIG. 4). The timing belt246 is further attached to the carriage drive system 300. A longitudinaldrive or timing belt drive motor 240, hung on the rear member 212 c, isalso alternatively used to drive the carriage drive system 300 back andforth in the direction of arrow 50. Specifically, the longitudinal drivemotor 240 engages the timing belt 246 via a clutch 242. Thus, when theclutch 242 is engaged, the drive motor 240 connects to drive thecarriage drive system 300 longitudinally. An encoder 244, attached tothe rear member 212 c, is also provided on the drive path, specificallythe encoder 244 engages the timing belt 246 via an encoder pulley 247,specifically engaging the outer periphery of the timing belt 246 tomonitor the axial position of the carriage system 300 on the rails 212r.

FIG. 5A schematically shows the mechanical system for driving thecarriage drive system 300. Specifically, it allows for the encoder 244to monitor the axial position of the carriage system 300 via the timingbelt 246 regardless of whether the linear drive for the carriage drivesystem 300 is being provided manually, by the operator using manualpulley 214, or under control of the longitudinal drive motor 240.Specifically, the manual pulley 214 and potentially the drive motor 240both drive the timing belt 246 that goes to the encoder 244. Thus,independent of the status of the clutch 242, being open or closed, theencoder 244 continues to monitor the position of the carriage drivesystem 300.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view showing the male duplex optical couplers 312.Specifically, the couplers are housed within the carriage coupler mount310. Two optical male adapters, one for the multimode collection fiber(312 c) and one for the single mode delivery fiber (312 d) are provided.Each adapter has a front dust cover 312 d that is closed when theconnectors are not engaged to thereby protect the sensitive opticalfiber end facets within the couplers. Presently, the Diamond-brandF-3000 Backplane adapters are used, which provide active push pullretention.

FIG. 7 is a more detailed partial view in a reverse angle better showingthe optical and electrical connections for the carriage drive system300. Specifically, the input optical fiber 361 of the delivery channelconnects to the rotating carriage drum 325 via an input optical fiberrotary coupling 360. This allows the input optical fiber 361 to remainstationary, i.e., not rotate. In the current implementation, a tunablelaser provides the tunable optical signal on the input optical fiber361. In other applications, a narrowband optical source is used forreflectivity analysis. In other systems, a broad band source is used.

An electrical slip ring system 363 transmits electrical power andsignals to and from the rotating drum. Specifically, a spectral analysissystem 22 is provided, in one embodiment, to receive spectral data fromthe slip ring system 363 to enable analysis of the target tissue. Astabilizing bracket 365 prevents the nominally stationary side of therotary coupling from rotating due to torque transfer through thecoupling from the rotating drum 325.

FIG. 7A shows the optical and electrical systems illustrating theirrelationship to the rotating drum 325.

The delivery tunable optical signal, such as generated by a tunablelaser 20, is transmitted on fiber 361, through the input optical fiberrotary coupling 360, to the rotating drum 325. The input optical fiber361 d in the drum 325 connects to a tap 368. This tap 368 directs aportion of the optical signal transmitted by the input optical fiber 361d, the delivery channel, to a delivery signal detector 364 on the drum325. The remaining signal is transmitted on fiber 361 e of the deliveryoptical fiber 74 of the catheter system 100 via the duplex couplers312/120. Any collected optical signal collected from the catheter head110 is transmitted through the collection fiber 72 of the cathetersystem 100 and received on the collection optical fiber 370 of thecollection channel. This optical fiber terminates on a collectionoptical detector 366.

In general, a delivery channel transmits the optical signals to theintraluminal catheter 100 via the rotating drum 325 through rotary joint360 and the delivery channel detector 364 on the rotation carriagemonitors the optical signals being transmitted on the delivery channel.The collection channel detector 366 detects optical signals from thepatient. A noise suppression system uses the delivery channel detector364 to reduce noise in the optical signals from the patient introducedby the rotary joint 360 and/or laser noise.

Typically, the optical rotary coupler 360 will inject noise. Anothersource of noise is the laser itself due to temporal fluctuations inoptical power output. The tap 368 provides a portion of this deliveryoptical signal, including any noise to the delivery optical signaldetector 364. Then, when the returning optical signal from the catheterhead 100 is received and detected by the collection detector 366, thenoise added by the rotary coupling 360 and any laser noise is removed bythe processing performed by the divider 368. Specifically, the systemprovides for common mode rejection which will remove noise introduced bythe rotary joint 360 and laser noise. Thus, the output optical signalwithout the noise is then further provided to the spectral analysisengine 22 that resolves the spectral response of the patient tissue thatallows for its analysis, for example, determining the state of thetissue. In other examples, OCT analysis is performed to determine thetopology of the tissue.

In other embodiments, the delivery optical signal detector is locatednot on the rotating drum 325 but is between the drum 325 and the laser20. This is used in situations in which any noise from the rotarycoupler 360 is minimal or outside the signal band.

The incorporation of the optical detectors 364, 366 on the rotating drum325 provides a number of advantages. First, since the collection opticaldetector 366 is on the drum 325, a second optical rotating coupler isnot required. The information in the optical signals is transmittedelectrically from the rotating drum 325 via electrical slip ring system363. One problem that arises when using optical rotating rotary couplingis the potential for the creation of optical noise due to the rotatingmovement of the coupler 360. This is addressed in the present system bythe incorporation of the delivery detector 364 on the rotating drum 325.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the carriage drive interlock system. Thisinterlock system ensures that the carriage drive system 300 is and isheld at or near the proximal end of the pullback and rotation frame,near the front member 212 f especially during the attachment of thecatheter system 100 to the pullback and rotation system 200.

In general, the carriage drive interlock is a latching system 252 forholding the carriage drive system 300 of the pullback and rotationsystem 200 from moving when the catheter system 100 is being attached tothe pullback and rotation system 200. It further has a release systemfor unlocking the latching system 252 to enable longitudinal movement ofthe carriage drive system 300 relative to the frame 212 upon connectionof the catheter system 100 to the pullback and rotation system 200. Theinterlock latching system 252 ensures that the carriage drive system 300does not move freely, specifically in response to any attachment forcesupplied by the operator in order to attach the catheter system 100 tothe interface 205 on the pullback and rotation system 200.

Specifically, two carriage latches 250 lock and engage with two opposedcarriage latch plates 370 that extend from the front face of the frontcarriage frame piece 333 f. Specifically, each carriage latch 250engages with a corresponding carriage latch plate 371 (see FIG. 8, forexample) to lock the carriage drive system 300 in its forward position.A forward position sensor 290 on the frame 212 detects the presence offlag arm 390 to confirm that the carriage drive system 300 is in itsforward most position. In this position, the carriage coupler mount 310projects thought port 212 p in the front member 212 f of the frame 212enabling the carriage 118 of the catheter system 100 to mechanically andoptically mate with the carriage drive system 300. Each of the carriagelatches 250 is biased into engagement with the plates 371 by a biasspring.

The carriage drive system 300 becomes unlatched only upon full insertionof the catheter system 100 onto the pullback and rotation system 200through the action of the release system. Specifically, the fullinsertion and attachment of the carriage system 100 causes the cathetersensing pin 256 to move in the direction of arrow 25. This movementpivots the carriage latches 250 in the direction of arrow 26 todisengage from the carriage latch plates 371, thereby freeing thecarriage drive system 300 to move longitudinally on the frame rails 212r.

FIG. 10 illustrates a catheter housing interlock system 270 that ensuresthat the catheter system 100, and specifically the catheter housing 112,is not accidentally disconnected from the pullback and rotation system200. The catheter housing interlock system 270 includes four catheterhousing locking mechanisms 272 for securing the catheter housing 112 tothe front frame member 212 f of the pullback and rotation system 200.

Specifically, the catheter housing interlock system 270 comprises acatheter locking rack frame 158. When this catheter locking rack frame158 is depressed by the operator in the direction of arrow 32, byapplying a downward force on tab 266, it causes the locking cam gear 260to rotate in the direction of arrow 34. In more detail, guide pin bolts410 attached to the front member 212 f guide the rack frame to slidevertically against the force of bias rack springs 159. A rack gear 158 r(see FIG. 11) of the rack frame 158 engages teeth on the outer peripheryof the locking cam gear 260. The rotation of the cam gear causes thecamming surface 260 c on the inner face of the catheter cam gear 260 toengage and push in a radial inward direction the four locking rollers262 as region 260 c 1 moves away from roller 262 and region 260 c 2comes into contact with rollers 262. This moves the locking rollers 262and the latches 264 against the spring elements 267.

FIG. 11 shows the front side of the catheter interlock system 270. Theinterface ring 110 is removed to expose the latches 264 that wouldnormally extend through the ports 210 p of the interface ring 210, seeFIG. 4. The rotation of the cam gear 260 causes the latches 264 to pivotradially outward with respect to the central port 212 p. Please refer toFIG. 11. The pivoting of the latches 264 outward causes the latchshoulders 265 to pull away from the housing locking shoulders 112 s ofthe catheter system 100. Refer to FIG. 3. Thus, only when the operatorapplies a downward force on tab 266, moving the rack 158 against biasspring 159, will the catheter system 100 become free from the pullbackand rotation system 200. This ensures that the catheter housing 112 doesnot become disconnected from the pullback and rotation system 200 in anuncontrolled fashion against the intent of the operator.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the inventionencompassed by the appended claims.

1. A catheter system, comprising: an intraluminal catheter for insertioninto a patient including: an outer jacket, and an inner scanning bodythat rotates and moves longitudinally within the outer jacket; and ahandle portion, including: an outer housing mechanically coupled to theouter jacket, and an inner carriage at least partially within the outerhousing and mechanically coupled to the inner scanning body.
 2. Acatheter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner scanning bodycomprises an optical fiber bundle, including at least one optical fiber,for transmitting optical signals between a head of the intraluminalcatheter and the inner carriage.
 3. A catheter system as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the inner carriage comprises one or more opticalconnectors for providing optical connection to the optical fiber bundle.4. A catheter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner scanningbody comprises a torque cable for transferring rotation from the innercarriage through the inner scanning body to a head of the intraluminalcatheter.
 5. A catheter system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outerhousing functions as a handle for attachment of the catheter system to apullback and rotation system.
 6. A catheter system as claimed in claim1, wherein the inner carriage comprises a bayonet member projectingaxially from a proximal side of the inner carriage for rotationallyaligning the inner carriage during attachment to a pullback and rotationsystem.
 7. A catheter system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising acatheter carriage interlock system that secures the inner carriagewithin the outer housing at least during transportation.
 8. A cathetersystem as claimed in claim 7, wherein the catheter carriage interlocksystem prevents rotation of the inner carriage within the outer housing.9. A catheter system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the cathetercarriage interlock system prevents extraction of the inner carriage fromthe outer housing.
 10. A catheter system as claimed in claim 9, whereinthe catheter carriage interlock system prevents rotation of the innercarriage within the outer housing.
 11. A catheter system as claimed inclaim 7, further comprising a release member on a pullback and rotationsystem for disengaging the catheter carriage interlock system so thatthe inner carriage is able to rotate and move relative to the outerhousing.
 12. A catheter system as claimed in claim 7, wherein thecatheter carriage interlock system comprises at least one lever arm thatpivots to engage the inner carriage to prevent rotation and/orextraction of the inner carriage from the outer housing.
 13. A cathetercarriage interlock system for an optical catheter system comprising anintraluminal catheter that provides optical signals to a patient andcarries optical signals from the patient, an outer housing, and an innercarriage that moves longitudinally relative to the outer housing androtates relative to the outer housing during operation when the cathetersystem is being driven by a pullback and rotation system, the interlocksystem comprising: a carriage locking system that prevents rotation andlongitudinal movement of the inner carriage in the outer housing; and anunlocking system on the pullback and rotation system that unlocks thecarriage locking system to free the inner carriage to rotate and movelongitudinally relative to the outer housing when the catheter system isconnected to the pullback and rotation system.
 14. An interlock systemas claimed in claim 13, wherein the catheter locking system comprises atleast one lever arm that pivots to engage the inner carriage to preventrotation and/or extraction of the inner carriage from the outer housing.15. An interlock system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least onelever arm mechanically interferes with an extraction shoulder on theinner carriage to prevent extraction of the carriage from the outerhousing.
 16. An interlock system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the atleast one lever arm mechanically interferes with a rotation shoulder onthe inner carriage to prevent rotation of the carriage in the outerhousing.
 17. An interlock system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the atleast one lever arm mechanically interferes with an extraction shoulderon the inner carriage to prevent extraction of the carriage from theouter housing.
 18. An interlock system as claimed in claim 14, whereinthe unlocking system comprises a ring that engages the at least oneleverage arm to pivot the at least one lever arm out of engagement withthe inner carriage.
 19. A catheter carriage interlock method for anoptical catheter system comprising an intraluminal catheter thatprovides optical signals to a patient and carries optical signals fromthe patient, an outer housing, and an inner carriage that moveslongitudinally relative to the outer housing and rotates relative to theouter housing during operation when the catheter system is being drivenby a pullback and rotation system, the interlock method comprising:preventing rotation and longitudinal movement of the inner carriage inthe outer housing at least during transportation of the optical cathetersystem; and unlocking the inner carriage to free the inner carriage torotate and move longitudinally relative to the outer housing when theoptical catheter system is connected to a pullback and rotation system.20. A catheter system, comprising: an intraluminal catheter forinsertion into a patient including: an outer jacket, and an innerscanning body that rotates and moves longitudinally within the outerjacket during operation; and a handle portion, including an outerhousing mechanically coupled to the outer jacket, and a catheter housinglocking mechanism for securing the handle portion to a frame of thepullback and rotation system until unlocked by a user.
 21. A cathetersystem as claimed in claim 20, wherein the catheter housing lockingmechanism is actuated by a user to release the handle portion from theframe.